AQHA Show and Ranch Rule Changes

View the show and ranch rules that will go into effect January 1, 2019.

The American Quarter Horse Association

In May, the American Quarter Horse Association announced the highlights of the approved show committee and ranching committee recommendations, which were not subject to completing computer programming.

View the approved show committee recommendations and ranching committee recommendations that will go into effect January 1, 2019.

The 2018 Executive Committee also approved various show and ranch rules that would go into effect, pending computer programming. Based on the current projection of the new computer system launch, the following rules will not be effective January 1, 2019.

• Adopt new class of working hunter under saddle which allows for more “natural appearance” and uphill balance, fluid forward movement in all gaits which is more desirable for working hunters.
• Amend SHW245.1 to add leveling for international shows, including Canada, to be calculated at one-third of the points utilized for each class and levels as domestic shows.
• The addition of ranch cutting as a new class in Zoetis AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenges adopting SHW565 VRH Ranch Cutting rules.
• The addition of an open 7-and-Up Working Ranch Horse class in Zoetis AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenges.
• The addition of sub-divisions within SHW552-Versatility Ranch Horse Divisions of open, amateur and youth. Within these divisions there will be the following sub-divisions: open and cowboy; amateur, limited amateur and rookie amateur; youth, limited youth and rookie youth.

In 2016, the Executive Committee approved the recommendation from the Western Dressage Task Force to adopt western dressage as an AQHA-recognized discipline, pending computer programming.

Once the computer programming is implemented for these approved rule changes, AQHA will release more information on AQHA.com, including when each rule will go into effect.

View the complete 2018 show committee report and ranching committee report.

AQHA wants to hear any suggestions you have to make the membership, programs and services reach their fullest potential. AQHA members have until December 31, 2018, to submit items for the 2019 convention. Learn more about submitting an AQHA rule change.

AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHAnews on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.